TIGER POPULATION REACHES 176 IN NEPAL

The number of tigers in Nepal has reached 176 this year from 155 in 2010.This is unexpected rise in the population of the endangered animal, officials said on the occasion of the International Tiger Day on Sunday. A significant rise in the tiger population has been observed at Bardiya National Park, where the number has reached 38 in March 2012 from 18 in July 2010, according to Dr Maheshwor Dhakal, Assistant Conservation Officer at the Park.

Similarly, the tiger population increased to 10 from eight in the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.Speaking on the occasion, Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Soil-Conservation, Nabin Ghimire said the role of local communities is vital for the conservation of tiger. Likewise, Director General at Department of National Wildlife and National Parks, Krishna Prasad Acharya, said the government target to increase the number of tiger by twofold by 2022 is likely to be materialized.

As per the statistics of 2010, Chitwan National Park is home to 121 tigers.

This year's International Tiger Day was marked by organizing a variety of programmes across the country.